Europe
FC Barcelona: Messi to get back on January 2, Neymar out for 10 days

We know a little more now about the return of Lionel Messi. FC Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said Tuesday expecting a return to training on January 2 of the four-time Ballon d’Or, now convalescent.

“During the two training sessions from 2 January, we hope to count on all players, including those under a recovery process, as is the case for Victor (Valdes) and Leo, “ said the Argentine technician after the easy victory in the King’s Cup against Cartagena (3-0).

Messi sent far from lawns for six to eight weeks after suffering a torn left thigh of absence, went to Argentina to complete his recovery process. “Messi is working according to the process, the evolution of the injury continues well. He will continue to work throughout this week, he will continue the next and we hope to count on him on his return,”added Martin.

Victor Valdes however, had suffered a “tendon rupture” in his right calf during a match of the Spanish selection in mid-November.

The Barca players, co- leaders of the Spanish Championship with Atletico Madrid expected to play the Uefa Champions League knockouts and the King’s Cup must resume training between December 30 and January 2 after the season truce.

Moreover, El Tata reported that the Brazilian Neymar, who scored Tuesday night against Cartagena and author of sixth goals in a week, would return to Brazil on Thursday because of his suspension on Sunday for the final match of Barcelona in 2013, against Getafe in the Spanish Championship .

“Every time there is a player who may have a few extra days of rest, especially that this is a player who has hardly rested from the Confederations Cup this summer (…) of course I will give him more days off if I can.”